Rarely have two debutant sides made as big an impression on the ASRL as Capetown and Fairfield have this season. The Ravens have commanded an incredible record at their home ground- with only one loss all year. Meanwhile, Fairfield have been the quiet achievers, and today both sides met for a chance to battle Brisbane for the Division Two title.
Capetown Ravens Fairfield Stallions
1 Freddie Banquet 1 Aaron Mercer
2 Michael Robertson 2 Phillipe Bernat-Salles
3 Robert Miles 3 Steve Bell
4 Bronsen Saunders 4 Danny Bampton
5 Steve Williams 5 Rupeni Caucaunibuca ©
6 Andrew Mehrtens © 6 Matt Crowther
7 Derek Gateshead 7 Martin Crompton
8 Noah Sete 8 Matt Kennedy
9 Joost van Derwestuizen 9 Aaron Raper
10 Mark Merideth 10 Michael Korkidas
11 Braam van Straaten 11 Shayne McMenemy
12 Sean Carstens 12 Tony Price
13 Malcolm Alker 13 Scott Magro
++Interchange
14 Alan Chemenskwi 14 Laurent Carrasco
15 Andrew Dunemann 15 Jarod O'Doherty
16 Tarzan Malaguna 16 Darrell Trindall
17 Luke Rooney 17 Mick Higham
It was a game of contrasting starts. The Stallions, through Matt Crowther, made an embarassing mistake when they fumbled the ball from the kick-off. Conversely, the Ravens put together two very dangerous opening sets, both ending in the kind of Andrew Mehrtens’ magic that the fans in South Africa have been treated to all year.
The Stallions weren’t in it offensively, and struggled to find combinations as the well oiled Capetown engine worked out flawless set after flawless set. What they lacked in attack the Stallions made up for in defence, with the likes of Tony Price and Aaron Raper really standing up against South African internationals van Straaten and Carstens.
The mix of scintillating attack and jarring defence provided for an entertaining opening period, and the first points didn’t come until the 25th minute. After grimly defending their line for four tackles, Fairfield’s backs made a rookie mistake when they came in on Bronsen Saunders- and the centre was able to offload to find Alex Chemenskwi unmarked. Unsurprisingly, Mehrtens was able to nail the conversion to put the Ravens up 6-0.
Capetown’s try seemed to spark something in their opponents, and it took only two minutes for the Sydney based side to entertain their fans with a try of their own. A seventy metre set of six, highlighted by a memorable Caucaunibuca run- ended with Scott Magro miraculously collecting his own erratically bouncing grubber. He converted his effort, and the ledger was level once more at 6 apiece.
The reversal of fortunes manifested itself everywhere- with Fairfield lifted immensely by the fact they were even after such an intense first half. Capetown continued to make inroads in Fairfield’s defence, but showed a lack of patience, continually squandering good field position. Big Matt Kennedy scored Fairfield’s second as a result of one of these errors- snapping up the lose ball and bullocking his way over despite the defensive attention of Robert Miles. Magro again converted, and the large Sydney crowd on hand roared their appreciation of the 12-6 scoreline.
Capetown defended well in the final minutes of the opening stanza, and the halftime siren saw no change in the scoreline.
HALFTIME: Capetoen 6 trail Fairfield 12
Capetown clearly copped a razzing from their coach at halftime, because their young guns came out desperate to prove themselves. In particular it was little known front rower, Noah Sete, the big man making plenty of metres early on. One unforgettable forty metre charge must have Premier League coaches and fans salivating at the promise of another powerhouse forward. A penalty in the 44th let Mehrtens drag back the margin to 12-8.
There was no doubting the Ravens’ enthusiasm in the early exchanges- but they lacked the finishing they’d boasted all year. The side who put 66 on Hawkesbury with apparent ease couldn’t seem to make passes stick. Eventually this lack of finishing hurt the Ravens, who, despite leading the possession charts were the next scored against. Retiring Frenchman, Phillipe Bernat-Salles, had the pleasure of all but securing a grand final berth for the Stallions with his 60th minute try. Magro missed the kick, but the Stallions held an eight point buffer at 16-8.
Capetown didn’t die wondering, but even the organisational skills of Andrew Mehrtens couldn’t lift them, and the game was as good as gone when Matt Crowther went over on the last tackle after some sloppy marker defence. Magro was this time able to convert, and Fairfield fans could celebrate as their side went ahead to a 22-8 lead with eleven minutes of play in the game.
A 77th minute try to Fairfield bound Braam van Straaten added some credibility to the Ravens’ lost, and the conversion made it 22-14, but it was a bridge too far for the Ravens. Fulltime blew on the Capetown side’s stunning debut year- now it was time for them to prepare for Premier League. For Fairfield- it’s one more game and a definate shot at Adelaide for a place in Premier League should they chose it.
FULLTIME
Fairfield 22
Matt Crowther
Matt Kennedy
Phillipe Bernat-Salles
Scott Magro
Magro 3/5
def.
Capetown 14
Alan Chemenskwi
Braam van Straaten
Mehrtens 3/3
PoM Points
Steve Bell 3
Phillipe Bernat-Salles 2
Noah Sete 1
